Enschede, Netherlands

​Enschede is a charming city of 150,000 in the province of Overijssel in the eastern part of the Netherlands.

Enschede, Netherlands

​Enschede is a charming city of 150,000 in the province of Overijssel in the eastern part of the Netherlands. Enschede is two hours by train from Amsterdam, and about an hour by train from Dusseldorf, Germany. Enschede and Palo Alto have been sister cities since 1980.​Enschede is an old European city. In 800 AD, it served as a busy marketplace, and eventually became an important textile center. Today, Enschede is a modern, vibrant, and very livable city, and home to the University of Twente. Some of the beautiful old textile factories have been converted to modern uses, and the city boasts a new museum center, a philharmonic orchestra, an academy of arts, and a performing arts center. Enschede is also the manufacturing home of the world-famous and delicious Grolsch beer.

English is widely spoken in Enschede and American music and film are entertainment staples, making Enschede a popular destination for American exchange students. The city is filled with young people from all over the world who are attracted to and study at the University, and the Old Market Square is host to frequent live musical events.​Neighbors Abroad has organized many exchanges between high school students from Enschede and Palo Alto, and has hosted visits from Enschede musical groups. In 2005, the Enschede Fraggles Jazz Orchestra visited Palo Alto and gave five concerts including a concert in San Juan Bautista. The Enschede Music School's high school chorus has also visited Palo Alto. Visits and friendships are renewed and enriched by the exchanges between